Inter IKEA Center Group believed to have put BBDO China in charge

The pitch was announced in May when IICG rolled out its investment plan in China for the next five years. Ogilvy, BBDO and Publicis were involved.

BBDO will be charged with managing the creative, digital and media business. IICG is opening a new flagship store in Beijing in 2014, and another one in Wuxi in 2013. Aside from an IKEA store, the retail property is to host 450 other brands.

IICG has yet to confirm the new appointment. Acording to Lynda Zhang, marketing director at IICG, IICG could become the first developer in the market to create regional shopping centres outside of the city centre.

She added that the market is already flooded and the challenge for IICG is to make a statement and stand out from the rest.

"We aim to create the backdrop for moments in life that will make it truly worth living," Zhang said.